Aug. 29, 2022

The historic downtown building that’s home to Lucky’s bar is getting a face-lift and improvements on every level.

Cresten Capital Holdings bought the building and the business at 224 S. Phillips Ave. last year.

Since then, owner Kevin Tupy steadily has been making improvements — beginning with the bar and now continuing with the facade and upper level.

The exterior is being restored in a manner appropriate to its history, which dates back to 1910.

“It will no longer look like the Little Coalinga or Smoe’s,” Tupy joked. “It now will be the upscale drinking establishment and penthouse loft it was envisioned to be.”

The loft is nearly 3,000 square feet with three bedrooms, four baths and “an expansive patio overlooking Phillips Avenue with direct access to the parking ramp,” Tupy said. “So there’s covered parking, a skywalk; basically, you get a butler.”

The space long ago was a dressing room for women who shopped at Michael’s and Burke’s below, he said.

The loft will be available as a rental, and the plan is to be renting it this fall.

Work isn’t done inside Lucky’s, either. Initial improvements were made when the new owner took over, including new paint, sound boards for better acoustics and furniture for the lower level.

That now is known as the 224 Bar.

“We’ve been able to host various music events, and this fall we’re going to do comedy, an open mic night starting soon, we’ll be hosting trivia nights, and we’re looking into various local artists that will also be down here hosting and providing music and talent,” manager Michelle Gilberts said.

“We’re reestablishing the 224 Bar as a place to host different events, whether they’re private parties or a local artist. We hosted an after-party for the IMG with Flo Rida, so we want to engage with more things happening downtown and an after-party atmosphere.”

Lucky’s also added more pool tables, dart machines, televisions and video lottery machines on the opposite side of the lower level.

“It provides an all-encompassing area where people can come lounge, have a VIP experience or just hang out and enjoy the atmosphere of an area that’s not as chaotic as upstairs,” Gilberts said.

The main floor will be up next, with an expanded entryway and bar, and renovated restrooms.

“Phase two will be a new, improved and expanded … what I like to say is a Studio 54-inspired vibe,” Tupy said.

The key is timing it, Gilberts said. That hasn’t been set yet.

“October is our fall season and heavy volume, so we don’t want to interrupt customers’ experiences.”

On the food side, Lucky’s has been focused on pizza, with options ranging from thick crust to cauliflower crust and a number of different toppings. Going forward, “we are exploring different areas, maybe more appetizers for when you’re here in the evenings later on, especially on weekends,” Gilberts said. “And we’re looking at expanding and providing food truck services more at Lucky’s.”